Staff Reporter :
Two teenagers died when a pickup van ran over them following a clash between two factions of the Awami League (AL) in the city’s Adabor area on Saturday centering the purchasing of nomination papers to contest in the upcoming 11th Parliamentary Election.
The deceased were identified as Arif, 17, and Shujon, 15, both were construction workers. They were followers of Sadek Khan, the General Secretary for the Dhaka City North unit of Awami League.
At least 20 others were injured in the clashes, said eyewitnesses.
Supporters of Awami League lawmaker Jahangir Kabir Nanak obstructed and attacked the motorcade of Sadeq Khan when they were heading towards AL Dhanmondi office to collect nomination form, triggering a chase and counter-chase between the two groups, they said.
“Nanak’s supporters were throwing brickbats at Sadek Khan’s followers. Panicked by the attack, they tried to get down from the pick-up van. At that time, two youths were run over by the van when the driver was trying to escape the spot,” they said.
Sujon, severely injured, was admitted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where the duty doctors declared him dead around 11:45am, said Sub-Inspector of DMCH police outpost Bachchu Mia. The other injured, Arif, died after getting admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, said Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jamaluddin Mir.
AL supported some youths, riding on five to six motorcycles, chased a pick-up van carrying at least 25 passengers near Mohammadi Homes Ltd in Mohammadpur area. At one stage, the pick-up ran faster and tried to take a turn when the two youths fell to the ground and were crushed under the wheels of the same pickup, said deceased Arif’s brother Alauddin.
“My brother was on his way to a Jubo League programme. He tried to flee when the car was attacked, but failed,” he said.
Sadek Khan said that the attack on my supporters was led by the Jubo League’s Tuhin.
Adabor Jubo League Convener Ariful Islam Tuhin is known as a follower of Nanak. He said, “It is clear who is responsible for attacks on current MPs. The attack was motivated to cause unrest and sow discord amongst the Awami League workers.”
On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control, said Kawser Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge of Adabor Police Station.
Nanak, the Joint General Secretary of the central party, also intends to run for the Awami League nomination. Sadek Khan, the General Secretary of the Dhaka City North unit, is planning to compete against him, they said.
On Friday, Awami League began selling nomination applications for the upcoming 11th Parliamentary Election. Candidates have begun picking up the applications from the party’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, accompanied by their supporters.
